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Posted: Feb 11, 2016 9:26 AMUpdated: Feb 11, 2016 10:50 AM

Utility Scammers Have Been Busy

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Charlie Taraboletti

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is warning you to be on guard against a sophisticated consumer scam that is targeting utility customers in Oklahoma and most likely in other states as well.  The scam begins with a very realistic-sounding phone call to a utility customer warning of an overdue payment. There is a call-back number, and when that number is called you hear a greeting that is identical to the real greeting used by the utility company. In fact, it is probably the actual greeting used by the utility, and recorded by the scammers for their use. You are then put in touch with a "customer service" person, who will request a credit card number.

Corporation Commission Public Utility Division Director Brandy Wreath says the scammers are well-versed in details regarding the utility.  He says investigators spoke to these fake "customer service" reps as part of their investigation. They even knew the location of the company's headquarters.  Wreath says the tip-off is that they will ask for the last four digits of your account number, and for a credit card number. Real utilities already have your account number, and any initial contact regarding past due accounts is done by mail.

The Corporation Commission uncovered the scam as part of a regular audit the Public Utility Division does of social media looking for signs of deceptive practices and consumer scams. Wreath says in this case, it appears the scammers have moved on, apparently concerned over the attention given them by investigators.


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